Year 5 student Lachie has been at St John Vianney's Primary School Manly since Prep, and like most children his age he loves Rugby League, especially the North Queensland Cowboys.
Lachie is known among his school community, as a real fighter with a positive attitude – despite his difficult start to life, born at just 27 weeks old, and later diagnosed with a series of medical conditions including Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy.
When the opportunity arose for Lachie to receive lifechanging surgery in the USA, his family jumped at the opportunity, knowing the trip and medical expenses would be costly.
To support their fundraising efforts, New South Wales-born St John Vianney’s Primary School Principal Katherine McKay challenged the school community to raise more than $5000 for Lachie’s medical treatment. And that if they succeeded, she would wear a Maroons jersey for Game 3 of the State of Origin.
“Thanks to the generosity of the St John Vianney’s school community, we have smashed our goal of raising $5000 for Lachie’s life changing surgery.
“We raised a massive $20,000 on a Lachie’s Go Fund Me page,” she said.
“These treatments will help Lachie straighten his legs and stand, walk in his walker, and prevent pain associated with muscle tightness.
“Lachie is such an important part of our school community, he brings joy everywhere he goes. I am so proud of our students who have come together to support a fellow student receive SPML surgery, a life changing operation for one of our much-loved students.
“I am a very proud New South Wales supporter; however, I was extremely proud to wear the Maroons jersey for such a great cause.”
Lachie’s family would like to thank the St John Vianney’s Primary School community for their generosity in supporting their son.
Principal Katherine Mckay with Lachie wearing their Maroons jerseys.